Service Updates & Upcoming Public Holidays – w/c 6th June

Here you will find the latest UK & global service updates and a list of upcoming worldwide public holidays. This is updated throughout the week with latest information available.

UK Service Updates

Normal deliveries & collections of mail should be made in most parts of the UK today.

International Service Updates

GENERAL: The situation at Calais and the Channel Tunnel have improved over recent months but and over the last week transport services have been returning to normal. However, the possibility of further strike action and/or security issues remains. We will advise accordingly if and when new events arise. Ongoing (issue start date: 23/06/15 – updated 04/04/16)

GENERAL: This year, the month of Ramadan is expected to commence on June 6th and last for 29 to 30 days. During this time working hours for the public and private sectors in some countries observing the month of Ramadan will be reduced. This may result in delays to mail delivery for some destinations. Ongoing (issue start date: 06/06/16)

Australia – Strong winds in South Australia caused power outages across the state and widespread damage across the city of Adelaide. Several towns in the north of South Australia including William Creek, Oodnadatta and Innamincka are cut off due to road closures following flooding. Ferry services between Kangaroo Island and Cape Jervis have again been cancelled. Expect delays to mail delivery for the effected areas. Ongoing (issue start date: 09/05/16)

Australia – Australia Post have informed us that severe floods in Tasmania (postcodes in the range 7000–7999) have been impacting the collection and delivery of all mail products since Monday, 6 June 2016. Delays are expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 06/06/16)

Belgium – We have been informed a major demonstration took place on 24th May in Brussels leading to all main traffic arteries and tunnels being blocked. Delays to the delivery of mail in Brussels are expected. Their is also the possibility that mail processed by the Brussels mail centre for other areas may also be affected. Resolved (issue start date: 24/05/16 – updated 03/06/16)

Belgium – Due to strikes in the transport sector in Belgium between 31st May and 3rd June, there will be delays in processing all mail items during this time. Whilst the strike is due to end on 3rd June, delays of 48 hours will occur after this date until the backlog has been cleared. Ongoing (issue start date: 31/05/16)

Belgium – Due to the double explosion at Brussels airport, all air traffic has been stopped or deviated to other Belgium airports. The situation is on going and will be develop as more information becomes available.

Canada – Canada Post is working on contingency measures to serve the people of Fort McMurray displaced by the fires. Delivery to the area is currently suspended. All mail and parcels destined for Fort McMurray will be held securely in Edmonton until plans are in place. Ongoing (issue start date: 06/05/16)

Chile – Mail delivery to some areas of the country are being affected due to road blocks being set up by certain communities in response to the red tide and the impact on local fishing industries. Resolved (issue start date: 31/05/16)

Ecuador – Due to the recent major earthquake in Ecuador, delays are expected in mail services.Ongoing (issue start date: 16/04/16)

Egypt – Due to the suspension of flights from the UK to Egypt, delays to mail is to be expected. Resolved (issue start date: 04/11/15)

Finland – We have been informed that Rovaniemi Airport will be closed from 28th June until 31st July due to essential maintenance work. Mail sent to postal codes 97-99 will take one extra day to deliver due to the closure.Ongoing (issue start date: 28/06/16)

France – Seven unions in France have called for a general strike. Disruptions in transportation (air and rail traffic, public transport) are to be expected. Air traffic controllers will participate in the strike, too. Airlines have been asked to cut back flights to and from France.

UPDATE: Two further days of national strikes have been called for the 26 May and 14 June. Times of the national work stoppages have not yet been announced but significant disruption to mail sent to France is expected around these dates. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/04/16 – updated 27/05/16)

France – Expect a delay in the delivery of some mail from the Asnières (92600) distribution centre due to industrial action. Ongoing (issue start date: 23/05/16)

France – La Poste have informed us that transport and delivery of mail, parcels is suffering disruption following serious floods that have hit certain regions of the country, and in particular the Paris region, since 31 May. Ongoing (issue start date: 31/05/16)

France – La Poste have informed us that due to strike action by some French hauliers protesting against new labour laws and the subsequent road blocks, there are delays of up to 24 hours in the following areas: Region West: 49xxx, 29xxx, 14xxx, 44xxx, 45xxx, 85xxx and 35xxx. Mediterranean: 04xxx, 30xxx, 66xxx,83xxx and 13xxx, Paris & North: 27xxx, 28xxx, 78xxx, 80xxx and 76xxx, South West: 31xxx. Ongoing (issue start date: 01/06/16)

Germany – We have been informed that the German union ‘Verdi’ has announced strike action for Wednesday 27th April. The strike will affect all ground handling, check-in and aviation security at the following airports: Munich, Cologne and Dortmund (whole day), Frankfurt (07:00-15:00), Dusseldorf (03:00-14:00) and Hanover-Langenhagen (04:30-15:00). Please expect delays for all inbound and outbound mail to/from Germany. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/04/16)

Germany – Deutsche Post have informed us that due to severe flooding, delays should be expected for mail sent to the Bavaria region. Ongoing (issue start date: 02/06/16)

Greece – The Confederation of the Greek workers and the Association of the Civil Servants staged a 48-hour strike from Friday 6th May to Saturday 7th May. This resulted in a 48-hour delay in mail being received, processed and delivered within Greece. Delays should be expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 06/05/16)

India – Heavy rain in northeastern areas of India has resulted in severe flooding and major landslides in the states of Arunachal Pradesh (Tawang district), Assam (districts of Lakhimpur, Jorhat and Sivsagar), and Nagaland (Mon district). Furthermore, the delivery of mail was affected in Pudukkottai (Tamil Nadu province), following a flash strike by postmen. Ongoing (issue start date: 25/04/16)

India – According to media reports, Air India pilots have decided to go on strike. This may cause delays for mail processing and delivery. We will update once we receive official notification and clarification regarding the situation. Ongoing (issue start date: 10/05/16)

Italy – Post Italiane have advised that unions in the Lombardia region called a 24 hour strike from Sunday 22nd May. This may have an affect on Mail collection & delivery in the area. Ongoing (issue start date: 22/05/16)

Italy – We have been informed that some airport personnel at Rome Airports will be on strike for four hours, from 12:00 to 16:00 on 31st May. There may a small delays around this date for mail sent to Italy although we are looking at alternative routes. Ongoing (issue start date: 31/05/16)

Ivory Coast – Customs in Ivory Coast are observing a strike which is due to end on Friday 29th April. Delays are to be expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 28/04/16)

Japan – Japan is strengthening their customs inspection of inbound mail as part of counter-terrorism measures. Therefore, Japan Post has requested all items containing goods are accompanied by the required documents. Please attach a customs declaration form to postal items containing goods, and provide accurate information on the contents for customs declaration. Failure to comply with this request could lead to delays or the return of mail items sent to Japan. mail services to Libya are currently suspended. Ongoing (issue start date: 29/03/16)

Japan – Japan Post has informed us that Kumamoto Prefecture has been severely affected by the strong earthquakes which have occurred in Japan since 14 April 2016. The earthquakes have caused major disruption of rail and road transport in the affected area and neighbouring regions. The postcode areas affected are as follows: 860xxxx – 869xxxx (Kumamoto Prefecture), 880xxxx – 889xxxx (Miyazaki Prefecture) and 890xxxx – 899xxxx (Kagoshima Prefecture). Delays are being experienced in the transport of all inbound/outbound mail items (letters, parcels and EMS) in these areas. Ongoing (issue start date: 14/04/16)

Kenya – Flooding in Mombassa county have caused considerable damage to roads and buildings. Delays in mail delivery is to be expected. Ongoing (issue start date: 24/04/16)

Netherlands – Wednesday 27th of April and Thursday 5th of May 2016 are public holidays in the Netherlands. On these days there will be no collection or delivery made by PostNL. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/04/16)

Nepal – An earthquake, approximately 50 miles north west of Kathmandu, has caused severe damage in northern Nepal. Severe disruption to mail services nationwide is to be expected.

UPDATE: All mail services in Nepal have been officially suspended and Kathmandu Airport is now closed to all commercial cargo due to the humanitarian relief effort in the region. Ongoing (issue start date: 27/04/15 – updated 30/04/15)

Portugal – The Portuguese aviation union SITAVA has announced that ground handling workers from the two country’s handling companies Portway and Groundforce are to strike on the 19th May. Delays to mail processing and handling are likely. Ongoing (issue start date: 19/05/16)

Saudi Arabia – It has been advised that, with immediate effect, Saudi Arabian Customs has introduced some changes for all Non-Document shipments sent to Saudi Arabia. All B2C shipments that contain materials other than documents/printed matter will require the Consignee’s ID number. Where this is not provided, the parcel may be delayed in clearing customs until the ID number is obtained from the consignee. All B2B shipments of non-document materials will require a Commercial Registration Form from the consignee. This will be requested from the consignee when arriving in the country and upon receipt of the form, the parcel can be cleared through customs. Ongoing (issue start date: 15/04/16)